As we draw ever closer to a new Barclays Women’s Super League season, fans of all clubs await the coming weekend with excitement as the lottery and unpredictability of the sport we all love starts up again.

As for Manchester United, the Red Devils ended last year in contrasting fortunes. Yes, the silverware they obtained in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup heralded a brilliant day at Wembley for players, staff, and supporters, but the 6-0 home humbling on the final day to Chelsea, which saw the Blues win and lift the League Title at Old Trafford- was bound to leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

In truth, a cloud had hung over Manchester United all season. Two derby defeats, being ripped apart at Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium, and a worst-ever points tally in the top-flight, all left United fans dumbfounded.

Though as the new season approaches at a rapid rate, it is safe to say that Manchester United’s transfer business this term has been fantastic, leaving plenty of hope on the horizon for The Red Devils.

The side’s business this season has seen the arrival of hot-shot Elisabeth Terland from Brighton & Hove Albion, Melvine Malard turn her loan switch permanent, Dominique Janssen and Anna Sandberg reinforce the defence, and exciting talent Simi Awujo and Celin Bizet arrive in Carringotn.

Amidst a summer of exciting arrivals, it is Elisabeth Terland who fans are most excited to see adorn the Manchester United shirt. With the Norwegian striker fresh off of the back of her best goalscoring season of her career, it’s easy to see why.

A loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur for Grace Clinton last season saw the Liverpool born 21- year old skyrocket to stardom. The talented young spark made her senior debut for the Lionesses, and has since become a mainstay in the England set up.

In true breakout season fashion, Clinton picked up her first England cap, helped Spurs break new heights, leading to Robert Vilahamn telling The Halfway Line’s Chief Editor, Jamie Spangher ‘You have your superstar now’, in the aftermath of Tottenham’s FA Cup Quarter Final win over Manchester City.

Here at The Halfway Line, we take a deep look into the reason’s why Elisabeth Terland and Grace Clinton could become one of the League’s most feared duos.

Terland’s Terrific Stats

Last season, Manchester United didn’t really adapt to Alessia Russo’s summer exit to Arsenal, as Marc Skinner opted to start either Geyse, Malard, or Nikita Parris up front in his favoured 4-2-3-1 set up.

Comparing Terland to Parris (who ended the season bang in form) the stats show that United are getting not only an out and out striker, but a brilliant one at that.

Granted Parris is seven years Terland’s senior, she only completed one less game than the Norweigan last term in the league, with 21 and 22 respectively.

Terland bagged thirteen goals last term, compared to Parris’ eight, with also a vastly superior minutes per game, 81, compared to Parris’ 51. Successful dribbles is another area where Terland betters Parris, however the striker missed two more big chances than Parris across the 2023/24 season.

Now focussing on Terland alone, her attacking statistics are enough to send United fans into a frenzy.

Joint second top goalscorer last season with thirteen, though it is underlying data that is even more of a cause for optimism.

The Norweigan fired 71 shots last season, with 32 being on target, leading to a 45.1% Shot on Target ratio, which also blends into the 8.3 xG created by Terland across the 2023/24 campaign.

Following Nikita Parris’ deadline day move to Brighton and Hove Albion- as covered by The Halfway Line – Terland has more impetus on her shoulders to slot straight in. With the league kicking off next week and a full pre season under her belt, she will be feeling extremely confident that she can.

Clinton’s Magic Breakout

As mentioned earlier, Clinton enjoyed the breakout season of all breakout seasons. So much so, that just a few weeks ago, she deservedly won the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Season Award.

Starring on more than one occasion for Tottenham last term, Clinton thrust herself into the limelight with a string of incredible performances, which left her manager, team mates and fans all purring at her ability.

From her belting brace at West Ham away on a freezing January night, to running the show against Manchester City at Brisbane Road in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup – Clinton seemed to have standout moment after standout moment in Lilywhite last season.

She was the lynchpin between defence and attack for Spurs, receiving a total of 109 progressive passes in her 20 League games, with herself completing 96 progressive passes across the course of the season.

Picking up her first England cap whilst under the tutelage of Robert Vilahamn too further showcased her unerring ability which now you assume will go from strength to strength with a full-season of senior football under her belt.

How they play together

From what we know about United’s pre season fixtures so far, Elisabeth Terland has been scoring goals, having netted in the wins against Durham and Newcastle respectively.

Whilst we remain relatively unclear about the line ups and systems that United manager Marc Skinner deployed in the games, we can be sure that when the season arrives, Clinton will most likely line up behind Terland in a 4-2-3-1.

A lot of the Norweigan’s strikes from last season are what you would call ‘typical strikers goals’, finishes from inside the area, planted headers, what you would expect from your Number 9.

Terland likes to attack the space in the box, which could see her get on the end of many chances from Clinton, mainly due to the Liverpudlian’s touch ratio in the attacking third, clocking in at a total of 328 in the last campaign.

Clinton also heralds a 1.4 key passes per league game ratio, alongside a 70% accurate pass rating when in the opposition half.

The ex-Spurs loanee was given a free role in the side in North London, with that clearly the best way to get the best out of the attacking midfielder, who will look to flourish in behind Terland. Clinton’s versatility manifests in her ability to play an inverted-winger role, something that saw her flourish under Robert Vilahamn and will be sure to provide excitement for United.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror this summer, Clinton waxed lyrical about Terland’s abilities, adding: “I’m going to throw Elisabeth Terland in there. I think she’s the perfect striker for a midfielder to play with.”

Both of them also boast incredible playing time stats in the league last season, with Clinton clocking 1,627 minutes in total and Terland clocking in 1,782.

With new optimism and fresh hope on the horizon for Manchester United, Red Devils fans will be hoping that the duo of Grace Clinton and Terland will be able to fire them to bigger and better things in 2024/2025

Statistics for this article are courtesy of Sofascore and FBRef.